C&C Classifieds: Away, Rael, Miss Grass & more
Did you know: Summer is a great time to transition!
Did you know: Summer is a great time to transition!
Covet Public Relations - NY or SD
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
Best Events - LA, CA
Betches Media LLC - New York, NY
Associate Account Manager Account Executive
Away - NY, NY
Director, Acquisition Marketing
The Skimm - NY, NY
Client Services Manager
The BOSS Group - ATL, GA
Mailchimp - ATL, GA
Executive Creative Director, Brand Studio
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Braintrust - Remote
Director of Strategic Accounts
The Good Food Institute - remote
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The Biggest PR Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make (and How to Fix Them)
Jennifer Bett, the top publicist in start-up PR, is schooling us on how to pitch with success.
Photographed by Andrea Calo for Jennifer Bett Communications
So, you’ve gone through the process of building a business—wrote a plan, trademarked a name, and developed a product—but now that you’ve hit launch, you’ve missed one important part, getting people to hear about it. If pitching to media is a foreign concept and you have no idea where to start, don’t stress. We know how hard that initial push can be but your hard work deserves to be seen and the public should know about your amazing new business or product.
But, before you start cold emailing journalists, let’s take a look at some of the things you shouldn’t do and how to course correct so you’re on the right track to begin with. To do this, we tapped one of the top publicists’ in start-up PR, Jennifer Bett Meyer, founder and president of Jennifer Bett Communications along with her managing director and partner, Melissa Duren Conner to share the most common PR mistakes entrepreneurs make, and how to fix them. You’re welcome.
PR Mistake #1: Skipping the Storytelling
The Fix: You might have a great product, but it is the deeper part of storytelling aka “The Why” behind your business that will land the meaningful, brand-building features that startups need to get off the ground. Now more than ever, consumers care about the story behind the brands they buy from. They are looking to understand the larger mission of the companies, and the impact their purchases will have.
When speaking to journalists about your brand, think about: What problem does your business solve? What is the founder’s story, and what drove them to launch this business? How is the product made and is there a sustainability or craftsmanship story to tell? How does this business fit into the wider cultural landscape?
PR Mistake #2: Having a Face-Less Brand
The Fix: In our experience, brands who have passionate founders, CEOs, or even CMOs who are willing to put themselves out there in the press are the brands that dominate the media conversation. This goes beyond being quoted in an article here and there, it means speaking at industry conferences, appearing on podcasts, and speaking candidly about the struggles for entrepreneurship columns. These thought-leadership opportunities are crucial to getting you, and your message, out there to a wider community.
Photographed by Andrea Calo for Jennifer Bett Communications
PR Mistake #3: Only Having 1 Pitch
The Fix: Do your research. We mean this in a few ways:
1) Find out who your target customers are and what they’re reading - those online sites, newspapers, magazines, podcasts and events will inform where you want your story to be told.
2) Note that you can’t communicate to every publication in the same way. If you want your pitch to stand out in an editor’s overcrowded inbox, you need to first make sure your story fits their beat and personalize each and every pitch to highlight the aspect of your business that will appeal to them most.
PR Mistake #4: Not Valuing Qualitative + Quantitative ROI Equally
The Fix: The traditional way to measure the value of press is through a publication’s circulation—how many subscribers they have or how many clicks a site gets per month. While we do think this measurement is important in understanding reach, it’s not the end-all, be-all for evaluating impact. Other qualitative details to consider include:
—messaging: does the feature accurately tell your story and communicate your mission?
—tone: is the feature positive?
—share of voice: is your brand mentioned just once or do you lead the story?
There will be press placements that drive sales and there will be placements that drive brand awareness—you need both to move the needle.
PR Mistake #5: Bad Timing
The Fix: Keeping a pulse on the news cycle is extremely important when building out timelines for launch or major brand announcements. Pay attention to wider cultural moments that will compete for media attention, such as election day, major holidays or breaking news, as well as specific moments within your industry, like fashion week or award shows, that will be an extra busy time for your target reporters.
What lessons have you learned from pitching to media? Was it easier or harder than you thought? Share your experience in the comments below.
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"I Don't Check My Emails"—How a Successful Founder Starts Her Day (We're Taking Note)
Founder and CEO of intimates brand Knix, Joanna Griffiths is all about striking a balance.
It’s easy to do. We’ve all fallen privvy to it—waking up in the morning and checking our inbox first thing. It may feel like you’re being productive by clearing out some emails before you hit the office, but just that simple act of checking your phone could be making you unhappy. In fact, email notifications have been linked to higher feelings of anxiety. It’s for this reason that Joanna Griffiths, founder and CEO of intimates brand, Knix decided to remove it from her morning routine altogether. “It gives me an hour or two of clarity before seeing what is coming through my inbox,” she tells us.
We tapped Griffiths to take us through a day in her life before she hits the stage for our Lenovo Pop-Up in Toronto. Read on to find out what other pearls of wisdom she has for us.
What does an average day in your life look like?
Honestly it’s been changing a lot lately. I just had my first baby eight weeks ago and so am settling into the whole mom and entrepreneur thing. I typically spend a couple of hours at home and then head into the office around 10 with Cole (my baby) and Rebecca, our nanny. I do a mix of meetings that usually cover brand marketing (dreaming up our next big campaigns), product design (dreaming up our next big products), operations and finance. We are hiring at a pretty rapid rate and so I’ll often squeeze in a candidate interview here or there (my team does the vetting but I still meet with every hire to ensure culture fit). I build in short breaks so I can breastfeed Cole and try and be out the door at around five.
What time do you get up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking?
Pre-baby I would wake up at 8 a.m. (I need my sleep). Post baby it is more like 7 a.m. I love to spend my first hour with Cole. He’s so smiley in the mornings and it really sets my day off on the right foot.
Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?
I am absolutely a night owl. I find that some of my best work and most creative thinking happens at night—often over a glass of wine while sitting in my backyard chatting with Dave my husband who is also our creative director. I need the space and time to chat through concepts without the confines of a scheduled meeting. Plus, the wine helps.
What does your morning, pre-work routine look like? What rituals set you up for success?
To be honest, lately my mornings have been pretty hectic. My main focus has shifted to getting Cole fed and changed, a coffee in hand, and all of us out the door. I am a long time fan of what I have deemed “car makeup”. It’s when you put your makeup on in the car (while someone else is driving). My days are so jam-packed that I try and make use of every minute that I can. I do have one rule though, I don’t check my emails until I am set up and settled for the day. It gives me an hour or two of clarity before seeing what is coming through my inbox.
Being a founder means you are wearing so many hats and across so many facets of the business. How do you manage your time effectively?
I am a big fan of weekly meetings where I can check in on all facets of the business and we’ve got a pretty great reporting system set up where everyday I can get a pulse check on how things are going. I also have learned to block off three chunks of time throughout the day that work as flex time for that urgent last minute situation that emerges or that phone call that you just have to squeeze in. I have these first thing when I get into the office, so I can map out what I want to accomplish for the day, 30 minutes at lunch so I can eat and check in on emails and then again for the end of the day. Keeping this reserve time has really helped me stay on top of things.
Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication entrepreneurs are so familiar with?
I think my days as an entertainment publicist have trained me to stay on top of emails and to respond to things as they come in. It’s a slippery slope once you start falling behind and so I try to be proactive as much as possible.
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How to Craft an Elevator Pitch That Gets You Hired (Yes, Really)
Don’t leave home without it.
Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, running your own business, or looking for a job, you know you need an elevator pitch. But how do you create a clear, concise elevator pitch that gets you noticed and hired?It’s all about connecting with your audience, communicating how you help, and feeling confident when you say it. Here’s a few tips to get you started.
It’s time to rethink your elevator pitch
Traditionally, the elevator pitch referred to a 60 seconds (or less) speech about your accomplishments that you prepared ahead of time in the off chance that you stepped into an elevator with a high-level executive. Today, your elevator pitch serves a much larger purpose: to form a connection and open the door to future opportunities.
Think of your elevator pitch as a “what I do and how I help” statement that you can use anywhere: at networking events, on your website and social media bios, in an interview, and of course, in an elevator. A good elevator pitch can get you clients, jobs, referrals, and more. But it’s not just about finding the right words.
A strong elevator pitch has these three characteristics:
They connect. The best elevator pitches don’t sound like pitches. They sound like a conversation between friends.
They’re natural. Reading a bio doesn’t make for a great elevator pitch. But being yourself and feeling confident does.
They let you shine. A strong elevator pitch helps you highlight your strengths and how you can help.
When you seek to connect and communicate with your audience, instead of just sell to them, you can better form relationships which lead to getting hired.
How to create an elevator pitch that connects
So you know you want an elevator pitch that sounds like you, connects to your audience, and doesn’t feel rigid or salesy, but how do you get started?
Here are some tips for creating a clear, compelling elevator pitch:
Know your audience. Tailor your pitch to the audience at hand. When you know who you’re speaking to and what they need, you can talk about how you can solve their specific problems. It’s best to know your audience ahead of time so you can plan your pitch accordingly.
Focus on the benefits your work provides. When you introduce yourself, don’t just talk about the tactical work you do. Focus on how your work benefits clients and companies. “I handle social media so business owners like you can focus on your next launch,” is a much more compelling statement than “I’m a social media manager.”
Keep it simple. Use every day language and skip the jargon. It might seem like using industry lingo makes you sound like an expert, but it can confuse your potential client and cause them to tune out entirely.
Remember it’s not just about you. Your elevator pitch isn’t a brag fest. It’s the start of a conversation and an opportunity for each person to learn more. Ideally, if your introduction goes well, you’ll get follow up questions where you can explain more about your work.
Confidence is key. It doesn’t matter how great your words are. If you can’t say what you do with confidence, your audience won’t buy it. Remember that you do have something of value to offer, and people want to hear about it.
Experiment and evolve over time. The right elevator pitch doesn’t happen overnight. It evolves over time. Practice introducing yourself every chance you get and adjust along the way. Eventually, you’ll find that the right words effortlessly roll off your tongue.
Examples of strong elevator pitches
A strong elevator pitch covers who you are, what you do, and how you help your target audience. Here are some examples:
I’m a career coach for multi-passionate millennials who struggle with choosing a direction. I help you get clarity on your next steps so you can stop wasting time and start doing the work you love.
I’m a marketing consultant for wellness brands. I help you find the marketing strategies that will work best for you, so you can stop spinning your wheels and grow your business.
I’m a productivity coach for business owners who feel overwhelmed and frazzled. I help you get organized and focused so you can start taking action on your most important work.
The key to creating an elevator pitch that gets you noticed and hired starts with connection. When you know your audience, understand their needs, and can confidently communicate how you can solve for those needs, you’ll open the door to new opportunities.
Stacey Hagen is the founder of Create Coaching & Consulting, where she helps women solopreneurs and business owners to define a clear message and articulate their value, so they can attract their dream clients and make a living doing what they love.
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How Big Is Your "But"?—4 Simple Ways to Kick the Bad Habit
Stop making excuses.
“But,” it’s probably one of the most crippling words in our vocabulary and often the hardest to kick. Think about it. So many of us have dreams and goals that end with “but.”
BUT… I don’t have enough time.
BUT… I’m not good enough.
BUT… It’s already been done.
When we add “but” or “someday” or “if only” to our dreams we often hold ourselves back with an excuse for inaction. Because the truth is we have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé, self-discipline and endurance can trump talent, and there’s enough room for all of us to chase our passions. If we want to create a life that we love, a life where we feel deeply fulfilled, it takes self-awareness and action. You have to know what you want and then actually show up to pursue them.
Sounds pretty obvious right? But there are so many feelings that can creep up and distract us from reaching our goals. Here are a few types of kryptonite that we’ve all fallen victim to:
Fear
Fear is the number one thing that holds people back from finding (and living out) their full potential. Fear is tricky to notice because it can sneak into our subconscious as a tiny seed of doubt, slowing us down with thoughts like, “I don’t have what it takes,” “what if I fail,” or “what will people think?" and so on. Over time though, these small thoughts can snowball, leaving even the best of us with a pile of “what ifs” that can paralyze us from taking action.
Perfection
We all want to put our best selves out into the world. But the attempt to be “perfect” can also keep us stuck. It’s easy to get caught up in all the details, which can lead to self-sabotaging our growth as we wait for everything to be “just so” before we move forward.
Feeling Overwhelmed
So many of us walk around carrying the weight of unneeded stress and feeling overwhelmed—chasing our version of success one check mark at a time. It’s so easy to get caught up in all-of-the-things that we think we should be doing, including those menial tasks that don’t actually help us gain any real ground toward our goals. But the truth is, complexity is the enemy of execution. Working in an endless state of feeling overwhelmed isn’t proactive and it slows down our efficiency and progress.
Loss of Excitement
When we’re passionate about something, our desire can outweigh and override the hustle needed to reach our goals. But if we lose the excitement and the passion behind what we’re working toward and why, our drive can easily fizzle away as well. This can leave us feeling unmotivated and quite honestly, blah about the work in front of us which opens the door to any type of excuse or distraction.
So how do we kick the excuses and stay focused on our goals when the feelings of fear, stress, overwhelm, or a lack of motivation stand in our way? Here are four quick tips to help you kick the “but...” and stay on top of your game.
1 | Make sure your vision is clear.
Take some time to really visualize your goal. When you have a clear vision, and you’re working toward something that you're passionate about, your desire can propel you past the doubt or fear. The future vision of your goal coming to life can act as a springboard to push you forward out of the struggle (whether it be stress, overwhelm, or just feeling meh).
2 | Prioritize and Plan.
Take time to thoughtfully break down your goals. When we have huge dreams, it's easy to get overly ambitious and want to accomplish everything all at once. But when you take on more than you can handle, it can quickly lead to that feeling of being overwhelmed which in turn can lead to burnout. So, it’s important to pull the reins and remember that it’s a long-term game. Be strategic in planning out how you will reach your goals; break them up into annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly mini-goals (working forward one step at a time).
3 | Take Action—again and again.
It’s easy to take action when we’re in the zone, but sometimes we have to commit to ourselves and take action even when we don’t necessarily feel like it—i.e. when fear walks in the door.
It’s also natural for our brains to coax us to stay in the comfort zone, to resist change. But if you want to reach your goals, you have to be willing to put in the work and embrace the not-so-great feelings sometimes. I'm not saying that you need to subscribe to a lifestyle of stress or overwhelm, but it’s important to expect seasons of hustle–where you'll have to roll up your sleeves and put in the work.
4 | Choose your thoughts.
Too many of us listen to our thoughts instead of choosing which thoughts we actually want to think. (Let that soak in for a moment.) We may not have a choice over our circumstances, but we can always choose our thoughts. There’s a lot of mindset training out there, but a quick way to keep your thoughts in check is to use a simple mantra that can help you to stay grounded and focused.
At Create & Cultivate NYC (Spring 2019), we had the opportunity to listen to the fabulous Ashley Graham. She shared a simple but powerful mantra that she uses to remind herself of her worth, “I am bold, I am brilliant, I am beautiful.” So good, right?!
Regardless of where you are in chasing your dreams, and no matter how big your “but” is, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Everyone with a pulse deals with their own kind of fear and doubt. Chasing big goals isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
If you’re serious about reaching your and living your fullest potential you’ll need to get comfortable being bold and taking action again and again (despite the fear). And it all starts with kicking the excuses and the “but” out of your vocabulary.
Sasha Kill is the founder and lead designer at Outlaw Creative where she’s on a mission to empower entrepreneurs to grow their brands in remarkable ways. With an extensive background in marketing design and online strategy her clients include best-selling authors, celebrity chefs, world renowned artists, and multiple self-made 7 figure businesses. You can find her insights on design, marketing, and branding on www.outlawcreative.com.
C&C Classifieds: Leo Burnett, Orlando Studios, KIPP Schools, Ford and more!
The perfect job for you is only a click away!
The perfect job for you is only a click away!
Eloquence - Los Angeles, CA
CafeMedia - New York, NY or Remote
Follow Beauty- Los Angeles, CA
Leaf Group- Santa Monica, CA
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Sales Coordinator - Deny Designs
The Shelf- NYC/Remote
Lowe’s - Mooresville, NC
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Universal Orlando Resort - Orlando, FL
Amazon Web Services - Herndon, VA
Ford - Remote
American Red Cross - Kansas City, MO
Create & Cultivate - Los Angeles, CA
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science -Beverly Hills, CA
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Google - Stockholm, SE
Product Marketing Manager (Brand and reputation)
Miami University - Oxford, OH
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Collaboration Over Competition: How This Company Is Sharing Data to Make Driving Safer for All
We all know we’re stronger together than apart and this company is proving exactly that.
I grew up in a 1980 Volvo Coupe. It was large and in charge with a bold, bright red hue. Fast forward 20 years, and I would do anything to have that car again. Now more so than ever because I’ve learned about Volvo’s positive impact on the auto industry, and the values they’re inspiring all of us to believe in, too.
Volvo is a prime example of how “collaboration over competition” can be put into action for the greater good. We’re partnering with Volvo to share how this philosophy can be applied to every aspect of your life, whether or not you’re behind the driver’s seat.
Volvo Gave Away Their #1 Invention
It’s hard to believe that car safety used to be an afterthought. Now, we have cameras on our rear view mirrors and sensors telling us when we’re getting close to other cars. Driving has never been easier, some would argue, but it wasn’t always that way. Volvo was the first car manufacturer to care deeply about consumer safety. So much so that they “gave away the most important safety device ever invented: the three-point seat belt.” Car safety was forever changed because they believed that the best thing to do was to share their knowledge and collaborate on changing the way we drive today.
Building the Road Ahead—for Women
In March 2019, Volvo announced that they will share research on “crash-test safety with other automakers for free,” roughly 60 years after the three-point seat belts became standard in all cars. They continue to embody this idea of “collaboration over competition,” and are even making strides to specifically protect female car occupants. Volvo’s Project EVA, which stands for Equal Vehicles for All, aims to diversify test dummy sizes and designs, including people outside of average height and weight ranges that fare worse in car crashes. One of the ways Volvo has already addressed this concern is by implementing WHIPS anti-whiplash seat design in 1998 to help women, and especially tall women, be less likely to incur whiplash neck injuries in crashes.
Aiming for Zero
Volvo is not only changing the way all automakers keep their drivers safe, but they’re committing to Vision 2020, the goal being to have no one killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020. This isn’t a “better than thou” type of commitment, this is a basic priority that they’re giving to every human being. Volvo’s safety experts have identified three ‘gaps to zero’ that they will address to reach Vision 2020: speeding, intoxication, and distraction. Volvo will be limiting the top speed on all its cars to 180 kph (that’s roughly 112 mph) in 2020, as well as looking into geofencing technology that would automatically limit speeds around schools and hospitals. And with the invention of in-car cameras, Volvo vehicles may be able to intervene by slowing down and parking safely if it senses the driver is intoxicated or distracted in other ways. They’re thinking of everything and sharing their ideas and findings with their counterparts.
Volvo’s embodiment of “collaboration over competition” inspires all of us to think about how we can share our own knowledge and advice to those who need it most. When we’re open to sharing and open to caring, great things happen.
Sponsor: Volvo
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How These 5 Female Founders Organize Their Time
Ever wonder how CEOs manage their time and stay productive? This week, we’ve partnered with Project 925, our favorite LA-based workwear destination, to demystify CEO productivity.
Ever wonder how CEOs manage their time and stay productive? This week, we’ve partnered with Project 925, our favorite LA-based workwear destination, to demystify CEO productivity.
We’re chatting with five rockstar female CEOs who are building their companies from the ground up. Read more on how Debbie Wei Mullen from Copper Cow Coffee, Jane Fisher and Jenna Kerner from Harper Wilde, Koh Kim from EVENPRIME, Quynh Onel from Project 925, and Sashee Chandran from Tea Drops spend their time and stay productive.
For context, what’s your company? What stage of growth is it in?
Debbie: Copper Cow Coffee brings Asian-inspired beverages to your home, office, and adventure using the best ingredients and innovative design. We are best known for our pour over Vietnamese coffee, now distributed in about 3,000 retailers. We closed our seed round of funding at the end of 2018, and the fastest growing area of our business is direct to consumer coffee subscriptions.
Jenna: Harper Wilde takes the B.S. out of Bra Shopping. We’re just over a year old.
Koh: EVENPRIME is a digitally native, clean skincare brand based in Los Angeles, designed in Korea. Our products were created to help make young men (and women!) feel handsome. Our team is inspired by brands like Helmut Lang, Theory, Maison Kitsuné, and by iconic ’90s video games like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid. We’re an early-stage company getting ready to launch our rebrand very soon.
Quynh: Project 925 is a workwear destination that’s glamourizing the weekday. We’re here to help women build a work wardrobe they’re excited about and celebrate the careers they're working so hard to build. Project 925 is in beta mode and accepting orders!
Sashee: At Tea Drops, we create loose leaf tea, without the tea bag -- in very fun, whimsical formats! We’re about 3.5 years old, available in about 2,500 retail stores including Neiman Marcus, Whole Foods, and Anthropologie, as well as online.
Where do you currently spend most of your time?
Debbie: Setting up the foundations for growth. Bootstrapping the business for the first two years meant that I was doing every job - design, operations, marketing, trashman, you name it. Now with our investment, we are building a team, systems, and customer experience meant for our ambitious plans for growth in 2019 and beyond.
Jenna: Early stage Co-CEO means doing everything from fundraising and setting high-level strategy, to figuring out how to keep our office plants alive. Thankfully, I’m better at the former than the latter. We’re growing the team and spending quite a bit of time thinking about what roles and skills are needed to get us to the next level.
Koh: Building the right team and culture. To be able to recruit the best people, we have to be able to articulate a vision worth pursuing and a role worth taking. The best people will stay because they’re learning and feel empowered. That comes from culture.
Quynh: As a solo Founder and only full-time team member – I’m spread across all activities. I’ll go from refining my vision for what I want Project 925’s impact to be, to building our financial model, to packaging boxes and everything in between. Given our early stage, most of my time is focused on growth initiatives.
Sashee: We are a small team of five people given our scope, so a lot of us wear many hats. Most of my time is spent supporting my team, as well as investor relations and overarching strategy (marketing, brand, team).
How do you start your week?
Debbie: Sunday evenings, I write a recap to my lead investor, and then Monday we kick off with a team meeting to: 1) highlight progress we’ve made from last week, 2) see what’s on our plate for the week, and 3) call out any issues or challenges we are currently struggling with. It’s a great way for everyone to sync, find synergies, and quickly problem solve as a team.
Jenna: Each Monday morning before our team All Hands meeting, I lay out the top three to five things I need to get done that week, in a running list with all of the priorities from weeks prior. It keeps me both focused and accountable.
Koh: On Sunday evenings, I write down my top three projects I have to get done for the upcoming week. Every morning, I meditate for five to 10 minutes before doing my workouts or light walk along the beach. This allows me to clear my head and set the one task I have to get done first thing when I walk into the office.
Quynh: I spend about one hour on Monday mornings doing two things: (1) review my high-level goals for the quarter – it’s a powerpoint with a heatmap representing progress towards each goal, (2) decide on the top two to three areas I should/can focus on and create smaller tasks on my Scrum board (fancy word for a prioritized list, documented in Trello). It’s never a perfect list, and higher priority things always get added mid-week, but it helps me stay focused.
Sashee: Mondays are reserved for team check-ins -- where I set one-on-ones with each team member to set priorities together for the week. This also helps clarify where I might have gaps or areas that I need to spend more time on. I’d like to say that I’m a task master and have two to three high level priorities, but the reality is that some weeks are more clear than others. Sometimes you truly are responding to fire drills, but other times you feel more in control when you are able to focus on the stuff that matters. The goal is to have more weeks where you feel in control :)
What’s your best productivity hack?
Debbie: Working out in the mornings. This was something that I struggled with in the early days of the company, but that I now am a stickler about, even in the most stressful of times. Not only does it give me twice as much energy for the day, it sets the tone of having started off my day with self-care, making me a much more generous and patient CEO for the day.
Jenna: I take 10-15 minutes to tag each item in my to-do list with how long I think it should take. This helps me evaluate how important something is, so that I don’t spend too much time on items that aren’t important in the long-run. Also, during times when I feel overwhelmed by a 20-item to-do list, this exercise helps a list seem much more achievable if I know it should only take 60-90 minutes to knock out.
Koh: Making my bed in the morning (J/K but actually). I use a productivity planner to help me better prioritize my time. Writing down tasks with time estimates by hand helps me mentally commit and get into execution mode.
Quynh: Batch processing my tasks (including checking email) and avoiding multitasking as much as possible. Multitasking and context switching can negatively impact productivity by as much as 40 percent (according to the American Psychological Association).
Sashee: Putting my phone in airplane mode when I have something that requires more intense concentration. I also like to break up tasks into more manageable chunks. For instance, I tell myself, “How many emails can I respond to in the next 10 minutes?” It focuses my time, and makes me respond quickly to the easy emails, and flag the others for when I have more dedicated time to focus on them.
How do you evaluate your productivity? How do you know you’re on track?
Debbie: I evaluate my productivity by how much I’ve supported the needs of my staff. I’m lucky to have made some great early hires, and I know my team is the key to taking my business to the next level. I view my job now as getting what my team needs to succeed in order to hit the productivity goals we’ve made together.
Koh: I spend at least one hour on Friday reflecting on the past week: wins, what didn’t get done, what I learned, and how I feel about the week. Since I track how much time I’ve spent on tasks in my productivity planner, it makes it really easy for me to see what’s working and not working. Also, it’s fun to look back six to 12 months from now on what we accomplished or learned.
Quynh: Outside of reviewing my goals powerpoint on Monday mornings, I keep a time log (in excel). I track my time in 15-minute increments and have categories that tie to business functions and personal activities. It sounds daunting, but it’s a habit that takes seconds and forces me to be more mindful of how I’m spending my time. I have a weekly summary that helps to: (1) confirm with data, not feeling, how much I’m working and what I’m actually doing; (2) inform me what activities are taking up too much of my time that I can potentially hire someone to help me with.
Sashee: On a broader scale, I do quarterly lookbacks where I dive deep into what was accomplished, what was missed, and what’s in progress from every aspect of the business. On a weekly basis, we have team meetings that really set forth our weekly and quarterly goals. Everyone has their own key performance indicators of what success is. Our weekly business review provides a good measure of if we are on track.
Quynh Onel is the founder & CEO of Project 925, a new destination for women's workwear.
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5 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling
Summer is PTO season and getting sick when you should be enjoying your vacation sunshine is probably the last thing you want. So today we’re sharing five ways to stay healthy.
Summer is known for long days and endless sunshine. While it’s the perfect time to sit back and work on your tan, it’s also the time to focus on that work-life balance. The best way to do that? Take those PTO days. And in order to make the most out of those vacay days our friends at Olly are here to ensure that we’re supported from the inside out. From taking the right supplements to staying hydrated, we’re sharing our top five tips to stay healthy when you’re on the move this summer.
Tip #1: Catch Enough Zzz’s
Sleep? Why? I’m on vacation. I hear you but trust me, if you’re allowing your body to reset, and recuperate, you’ll feel like a new person every time you wake up. By sleeping enough, you’ll also be able to shake the symptoms of jet lag. If you’re traveling internationally, try to sleep based on the timezone of the country that you’re traveling to. Same goes for domestic flights. To ensure a restful sleep, I recommend taking a melatonin-based sleep aid, like Olly’s “Sleep” supplement. By combining melatonin, L-Theanine, and botanicals like chamomile and passionflower, you’ll boost your body's natural sleep hormone to help mellow your mind and calm your senses.
Tip #2: Indulgence Done Right
I’m the biggest advocate for experimenting with food when traveling. Trying local cuisine is one of the most authentic and eye-opening experiences you can have. But I’m also the first one to get a stomach ache. That’s why I’ve learned to balance my consumption of local cuisine with diet stabilizers like fresh vegetables and fruit. The natural fibers will support a healthy digestive system, so you can avoid any of the painful cramping, nausea, or fatigue that might accompany an imbalanced diet. You should also be taking a probiotic and prebiotic supplement. Prebiotics act as a fertilizer for the good bacteria in your gut, whereas probiotics are the actual beneficial bacteria that support healthy digestion. Olly’s “Probiotic + Prebiotic” supplement supports a healthy digestive tract and immune system.
Tip #3: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Drink, drink, drink. 60% of the human adult body is composed of water, but most of us are not drinking the recommended two to three liters of water a day (that’s about 74 ounces). When you’re well-hydrated, your body keeps cool, you’re able to flush toxins, and your skin is beautifully supple. You’ve got to keep that vacation glow, right? Travel with a water bottle that’s a manageable size, anything too large and you might want to leave it in the hotel room. I would also recommend a water bottle that is a twist off, rather than one with a built-in reusable straw. On a recent flight, I took an unintentional shower in my seat because the air pressure had built up in my water bottles’ straw. One Sip. Water. Everywhere.
Tip #4: Move Your Body
Some people recommend doing full-on workouts when traveling. And while I want to believe that that’s an option, it’s never been something I’m able to do. You can increase blood flow to your muscles and elevate your happy endorphins without crushing it at the hotel gym. And I’m all about that balance. Try to move your body for at least 20 minutes a day, which should be easy for most people who are walking everywhere in the city they’re visiting. On your more relaxed days (say, sitting poolside or cozying up next to a fireplace), try to get in 20 minutes of stretching or low-impact yoga. You’ll still give your muscles the movement they need and won’t break a sweat. Combine these daily movement goals with Olly’s “The Perfect Women's Multi” vitamin, which delivers a dose of 18 essential nutrients so you can keep doing all the amazing things that matter to you.
Tip #5: Stress Less
Managing your stress is easier said than done. Maybe you missed your flight, checked into the wrong hostel, or lost your passport. Traveling can be stressful and when you feel stressed, your immune system's ability to fight off antigens is reduced, mainly because corticosteroid (the stress hormone) suppresses the effectiveness of the immune system. Luckily, there are ways that you can manage stress in seemingly unmanageable situations. First, try square breathing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds (don’t do this if you’re pregnant), and breathe out for four seconds.
Second, remove yourself from the situation, if you can. Do a quick lap around the block and think about possible resolutions without the help of anyone else. Feel empowered by your ability to make the first decision, then consult those around you. And third, take a stress related supplement. Olly’s “Goodbye Stress” uses gaba to combat the acute effects of stress within 30 to 60 minutes. Bye, bad vibes.
Sponsor: Olly
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These Branding Gurus Share Why Storytelling In Business Matters
“The beauty of owning your own business is that you make the rules.”
When many people think of launching a business, they think about the financials, clients, and other logistics—but building a strong brand identity often falls to the wayside. Bliss Lau and Jasmine Takanikos, the instructors of the Centering Your Brand course at Open Campus at The New School, want to change that. After all, creating a strong brand is integral to your company’s success. Below, Bliss and Jasmine share why personal branding matters, the details of their class, and the branding tips you need to know for your biz.
Q: First things first: For those who aren’t convinced, why should I care about crafting my personal brand?
BLISS: Regardless if you are an entrepreneur launching a business or an individual, knowing how to tell your own story is imperative to the process of crafting your future. I don't see it as a personal brand, but rather being in control of your own narrative.
JASMINE: You are building a personal brand everyday, whether you are conscious of it or not. One of the principles in my BrandHuman Methodology is “Perception Value,” which is a strong currency in our current age of the social economy.
Q: Tell us a bit about your New School class, Centering Your Brand. What takeaways do you hope your students leave with?
JASMINE: We created our course, Centering Your Brand because we believe that creative companies need more than just a good idea to thrive in today's economy. I help bring strategy and a clearly defined purpose while Bliss helps nurture the creative expression with a long-term mindset. The class is built upon a Socratic method that aids each student in their development to bring an idea to reality. We want our students to experience some form of transformation. We have built a program around the concept of intensive learning- there are big wins for our students if they commit to the process. If they apply discipline and passion, the learning outcome is a full brand outline, inclusive of back-end strategy and development.
BLISS: CYB is a self-discovery process explored through our Socratic method of teaching paired with real life examples from our own experiences growing our companies. We are honest with our students about both our successes and failures. Students hopefully take away a comfort in knowing that perceived risk in taking the next leap is important. And whether they “fail” or not, it is all part of the process of growth. We hope the class will help them move on a realistic path towards their goal.
Q: Jasmine, your company, BrandHuman, goes beyond the average branding and marketing firm. Can you tell us a bit about your mission?
JASMINE: BrandHuman is a methodology, and daily practice of how you function as an entrepreneur and intrapreneur. We are committed to serving the creative communities through directional and profound programming. My branding firm is called Candor Branding.
BLISS: If I may chime in here, BrandHuman is also incorporated into CYB, and Jasmine’s firm Candor incorporates BrandHuman with her strategy work. Her firm not only helps with naming, but also provides a full multi-dimensional kit for a company of colors, sound, atmosphere, strategic targets, expansion and has now begun to explore how spaces and environment are important to a brand’s footprint. Candor takes a holistic approach to working with creative clients by acting as a vessel to refine and communicate their vision.
“You only get one chance to launch. Make sure you are really prepared. There is no need to rush. ”
Q: Let’s say I’m launching a new company. What are the top three branding tips you’d offer to a business newbie who wants to connect deeply with their audience?
BLISS:
1) You only get one chance to launch. Make sure you are really prepared. There is no need to rush.
2) Be flexible and ready to fine-tune and adjust details based on how your audience reacts. Often times, what we think they want is different than what they actually want. An entrepreneur’s flexibility to pivot can affect their success or failure.
3) At this moment, every brand needs someone to be the face of it. Prepare yourself for how to communicate your mission at the drop of a dime. You never know who you might meet!
JASMINE:
1) Ask yourself why you are in the game—have a deep purpose, this creates the drive.
2) Know your value and or the value of your services, be confident in this.
3) Hire a designer or agency who understands how your brand needs to be activated through design.
Q: Especially in today’s social-first market, the personal really is professional—what advice do you have for the entrepreneur who might feel uncomfortable building their personal brand alongside their company?
JASMINE: Develop a strategy for what is considered personal. Not every business requires that the owner is personally exposed. Often it is not necessary. Take a deep dive into what value it brings your work. If it is a must, then it is time for you to evolve. This is a vital part of growth. Map out what you are willing to share and create a content strategy.
BLISS: The beauty of owning your own business is that you make the rules. There is no need to be personal if you are not comfortable doing so. As long as you know your boundaries, then sharing your ideas, thoughts, mission, and vision do not need to cross over to exposing personal information.
This post is sponsored by Open Campus at The New School.
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We Want to Know—How Was Your C&C Experience “Unlike Any Other?”
In the spirit of the Agua Fresca Cerveza tagline, “unlike any other” we askjed C&C attendees how their conference experience was unlike any other alongside photos of the New Belgium popup.
Who has Mexico City on their travel bucket list? I know I do. With the vibrant culture, incredible food, and refreshing agua frescas you can get right from any street market, it’s no wonder we wanted to bring some of that energy to our NYC Create & Cultivate conference.
Thanks to our friends at New Belgium Brewing, we were serving up their deliciously light and refreshing Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza. This new beer is produced in partnership with Primus Cerveceria, a leading Mexican craft brewery based in Mexico City. Mural is an homage to the classic agua fresca that pushes boundaries of what we think about beer. Featuring hibiscus, agave, watermelon, and lime for a fresh, vibrant sip—this beer is like going to Mexico City, minus the airfare.
Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza is a beer unlike any other, and in that spirit, we asked C&C attendees how their conference experience was unlike any other too.
Amie Colosa: “The fact that everyone wanted to connect and learn about each other. I’ve been to conferences before that touted the social aspect but it was definitely lacking. C&C NYC made it so interactive and truly set up for connecting.”
Audrey Saskia Tetzeli: “Similar to the Workparty book and podcast, it was equal parts inspirational and informational. I also loved how it was feminine, curated to perfection, and still unpretentious. You quickly found out how much talent and heart was behind each and every detail, speaker, and sponsor alike.“
Nadia Rassoul: “I’ve been following Create & Cultivate for years and have always wanted to attend their conferences so I was ecstatic that I could attend their NYC one. The jam-packed day was filled with meaningful conversation, inspiring panels, and empowering women.”
Sponsor: New Belgium Mural Agua Fresca
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3 Easy Tips to Optimize Your Blog Content
Make sure your work is being seen.
With the rising popularity of content creation, it’s time to hone in your craft and be the best you can possibly be. Whether it be today’s OOTD or yesterday's organic meatball recipe, all of your content should be enticing to the reader, but also benefit your blog as well. You don’t have to be an SEO expert to understand how to optimize your content to garner more page views, a higher SERP (search engine result page) ranking, and even an increase in your blog traffic. Check out some of these tips to help get you started:
Label, label, label
After you finish writing an article, take the time to look for all the ways you can label your content. This is easier than you think! Start with the meta description.This is the snippet under your url that appears in the SERPs. Using keywords in the meta description is crucial if you want to see your content rank in Google’s search results. For example, if you’re writing about your spring wardrobe picks, the words “spring fashion” or “my spring wardrobe” would be excellent keywords to include in your short meta description.
Another place you can label to your advantage is the slug of the page you’re writing or editing. This is the part of the url that is specific to the actual page. For example, if your article is about Beyonce (as it should be) and her new music, the slug should be edited to look like this: “sarahsdiary.com/beyonce-new-music” instead of “sarahsdiary.com/post7865%”. Not only does this appear straight to the point with your readers but the slug acts as a keyword, boosting the visibility of your content.
Do your research
Internet Live Stats estimates that there are over 2 trillion Google searches per day in 2019. That’s a lot of searching, a lot of reading, and a lot of keywords. Using SEO tools like Ahrefs and Moz will give you the golden tickets to the keyword world (say that ten times fast). Find the search volume for the keywords you’re looking for and decide what words you’re going to include in your piece of content. But, be aware of keywords with a high search volume. If you’re trying to rank on page one, you will have to beat out several other established online publishers to get there...which is hard to do. Sometimes sticking with long tail keywords (three and four specific keyword phrases) and a niche market is where your content will truly shine and actually be noticed.
Once you have your keywords solidified, it’s time to link back to your own blog content. If you write an article about your baby where you also mention your favorite clothes to buy for him or her, insert a link to any previous pieces you’ve written about baby clothes. This drives traffic back to your site, increases your page views, and introduces your audience to more content that might be relevant to them.
Incorporate social media
Every writer and blogger has social media, but are you using it to your advantage? Integrating social media with your online content is the best way to expand your audience and hopefully encourage yourself to keep creating. Add your Instagram feed to the sidebar of your blog for your readers to browse while they are already on your site. Create your own footer at the end of each of your blog posts leading your audience back to some (or all) of your social media accounts. Try to post your original content across all your social platforms in a timely manner so your readers get a sense of your content schedule, consistency, etc. Social media management tools like Hootsuite, Trello, and MeetEdgar organize all of your social media content to make your life a little less stressful. Utilize the story option on Instagram to pull in more profile views and engagement to your account. Tag brands, people, publishers, etc. on Twitter and Instagram for a chance to be retweeted, mentioned, or even followed.
Set aside some time each week to interact with your audience. Whether it be through Instagram DM or responding to comments on a blog post keeping your readers entertained and engaged is key. Social media is FREE, so take advantage of it!
Abbey currently works at a digital marketing company while also maintaining her music blog (blondieandthebeat.com) of six years. Throughout her time as a freelance writer for a women’s magazine she’s learned to share every story and empower as many women as possible. You can usually find her writing in bed binging Sex and the City (for the 10th time) or at the gym sweating out her anxiety on the stairclimber.
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A Glimpse at our 2019 Houston Style Summit
Houston you NEVER disappoint.
Photo by Becki Smithouse Photography
Our annual Create & Cultivate Style Summit was one to remember leaving everyone motivated to take their career(s) to the next level. Each year, we leave the Houston Galleria with an even bigger and better experience than before. Influencers both big and small arrived at Houston’s go-to culture hub ready to learn, network, and gain wisdom from influencers we’ve grown to love over the years proving that there’s no such thing as an overnight sensation.
Top 5 Mic Drop Moments From the Day:
Agatha Ashiofu: Find your passion! Once you find it, the rest will unfold.
Agatha Ashiofu: Plan and do the work— Sometimes you have to sacrifice fun for long term success.
Sarah Adam Hafez: Whatever your definition of success might be, you have to put that as a priority. Life is too short to wait and say “what if”— Just start and take it slow.
Lee Anne Benjamin: In the beginning, I was afraid to share raw moments and what made me unique. Be yourself/share those raw moments. Those are the days where I get the most engagement.
And last but not least, our Keynote Audrina Patridge left us with a charge to:
“Get a lawyer up front, especially one that specializes in your industry.”
Photo by Becki Smithouse Photography
Who said you can’t have beauty and brains? Whoever made that up can kick it to the curb because our panelist hit the runway with effortless style and grace! Fun fact, did you know by day, Agatha Ashiofu is an account and Jaserah Asadullah is a Petroleum Engineer Technologist? Seriously, women do it all and these ladies make it look so easy.
Shop their looks at The Houston Galleria:
Courtney: Scotch + Soda (outfit), Sam Edelman (shoes). Check out her Instagram to see how it all came together.
Agatha: Maje (outfit). Can we all agree how major she looks?
Jaserah: Sandro (dress and heels). You have to see how Jaserah styled it.
Lee: Express (jacket and cami), Madewell (jeans). Check out Lee’s full look on her Instagram.
Carrie: Paige (jeans). We love how she put it all together.
Jaclyn: Ted Baker (entire outfit) . She styled it to perfection.
Think we’re done? Think again! During the day attendees watched a live 30-minute tutorial filled with tips and tricks from celebrity makeup artist, Jamie Greenberg; making time consuming beauty looks achievable for our attendees!
If you weren’t able to make it this year, be sure to check back later this week for our recap video.
Follow and stay connected with all of our panelists, keynote guest, and moderators on social:
Eye For Style: How to create & cultivate your confidence through your closet:
Panelist
Sarah Adam Hafez— @SarahAdamHafez on Insta
Agatha Ashiofu— @IronyofAshi on Insta
Lee Anne Benjamin— @LeeAnneBenjamin on Insta
Jaserah Asadullah—@SimplyJaserah on Insta
Courtney Kerr— @Kerrently on Insta
Moderator
Carrie Colbert — @CarrieC on Insta
A conversation with our Founder, Jaclyn Johnson and Audrina Patridge
Keynote Speaker
Audrina Patridge — @AudrinaPatridge on Insta
Moderator
Jaclyn Johnson — @JaclynJohnson on Insta
Makeup Tutorial
Jamie Greenberg (@JamieMakeup), Model: Brittany Puerto (@BrittanyPuerto) - Make up used for this tutorial was provided by Morphe.
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5 Ways To Build Successful HR Relationships
Building successful HR relationships comes from building up people, not walls. Here are some ways you can start cultivating better connections.
HR – It's time to tear down the wall. Our job is to build up people, not walls, so let's dig into our why, our purpose, and how we can build successful HR relationships. Prejudice of all kinds exists, whether it be race, gender, sexual orientation, or difference of thought. And for those of us in HR positions, our goal is to let all of these go.
We need to let go of all the things that weigh us down because we can't help anyone if we are carrying such a heavy load. The beginning stages of shedding this heaviness is asking ourselves the hard questions. Are we over processing and over-engineering people to make them fit into a certain culture? Are we putting people into a box instead of looking at the things that they add value to? Are we becoming hypocrites of our own mission?
Get clear
In order to be the change, you need to keep it simple. Your choices are what matters, and getting clear on the tough questions is what will begin tearing down the wall for a brighter future. What do you want that future to be and who will help you bring it to fruition? What are the most important things that your team needs? Start here and focus on understanding what you have in an organization, rather than focusing on what you don't have. What's important to an organization are the people that add value and bring a team to success on both a mental and spiritual level. Every hire is a representation of your company, so you need to define what you want the HR department to look like - good ideas plus good intentions, and a clear mind will create success.
Erase fear
Don’t stand in your own way and let fear run your business. Especially in HR, we need to be the change and to be fearless in our endeavours. Those who have entered into HR are there to be the voice for the ones who can’t speak up. They have integrity and a fiduciary responsibility to ethics and equality for all. We need to eradicate the walls and work with people to bring a positive change into the workplace. Be the HR hero that leads with human compassion and empathy, and the reward will be success and equal opportunity.
Provide support
It’s so important to provide a safe and supportive work environment. This leads to positive ROI, creativity, inspiration and an inclusive workplace where walls don’t exist. It is our time to disrupt, change and evolve. We support the masses – we support everyone and this change begins with education. What drives diversity and inclusion is education for all. Education is our salvation for a brighter tomorrow and has an impact on our communities, our customers and ultimately our ourselves.
Build from the inside out
You must build from within. Today’s statistics prove that there’s still far to go before we see significant success. 71% of people with jobs are looking for other jobs and the average tenure for millennial's is 15 months in their first 3 job positions. Retention rate starts with proper hires, fostering education and growth within a workplace. This is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed. Many work environments place unneeded pressure on employees and view them as replaceable and just a number. They should instead be putting time and energy into building a culture that’s about education and training for success. Recycling employees has now proved to be an issue and has led to a skills gap in this country.
Education is key
You need to look at every role with an education component in mind to ensure success. Companies and the teams within them win when they have education and a solid cultural foundation. Start with the basics and place more of an emphasis on hiring based upon personal qualities and skills. Many things can be learned, and hiring genuine people is extremely valuable to the future growth of a company. When you focus on obtaining quality skill sets and quality people, your company will begin to progress and move forward. This ultimately opens the door and the market for people that are actively looking to learn, work with your inclusive team, and wanting to make an impact. Focus on your active talent and invest and educate the people within your team. And when we focus on education, it leads to diversity and inclusion amongst your entire organization. We did not get into HR to stand down - we got into HR to stand up for inclusion for all, and education is our path to success for all.
Kristy McCann is the founder of GoCoach, an employee training platform.
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Why I Built A Women-Only Coworking Space
“With clubs designed by and for women, we have the unique opportunity to network and learn with our peers. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.”
If you were to search “women-only spaces” online, you’d find plenty of options, each club unique in their own way. Throughout my career, I’ve never seen women have as many choices as they have right now, whether in work or in personal endeavors, and with that a huge surge of support and mentorship from fellow females that is not slowing down any time soon. And frankly, it’s about time!
This renewed focus of women taking charge of their lives – career, family and personally – has inspired a new wave of niche communities and clubs. And that’s a good thing! There is a place for every type of person looking for a community. There are so many advantages to being part of a female-owned and operated space – many of those same benefits are what inspired me to open Maison.
Whether you’re figuring out your next career move after years spent dedicated to raising a family, looking for a place to catch up on emails, get a quiet coffee or listen to a parenting expert discuss how to talk about sex with your teenager, I encourage anyone to consider joining one of the many female-centric clubs, like Maison, out there.
Here’s what inspired me to open Maison and why you should consider joining a community like ours, too:
Build balance
Many coed coworking spaces were so cliché – open floor plans, industrial builds. In building a female-centric community like Maison, I wanted it to feel like you were visiting your best friend’s beautiful home, somewhere you would feel comfortable and supported. Sure, you can use the club to finish a deadline or take a meeting, but you can also steal quiet moments to catch your breath, and find events you won’t find anywhere else – a speaker series, Stitch & Bitch, private shopping events, MNDFL meditation classes and mini spa retreats. At Maison, it’s about taking care of the inside as much as it is about the outside.
Embrace who you are
I love my life! I love being a mom and I love working, and I don’t want to feel bad about how I choose to spend my time. Too many coed clubs out there are pushing their own agenda and it’s a one size fits all approach to a huge pool. At Maison, we are who we are – our location, demographic and curated programming are really what defines us and sets us apart – and because of that, most of our members are mothers. We want to cater to our members as personally as possible, so if working and learning alongside a bunch of moms is what you’re seeking out, Maison is the right place for you.
Take time out
If you work and/or have a family, chances are your schedule is not entirely your own. Let me tell you, stealing a moment alone at home when you have kids is not easy and I’m sure it’s even harder in a traditional professional environment. I’m here to tell you that it’s ok to have a place just for you. When people ask me if we plan to have childcare at Maison, I am quick to answer that our focus is on you, the grown-up, not the little humans. It would be hard prioritize the competing needs of parents and children under the same roof without compromising our mission statement.
Feel welcome
It’s no secret that female-designed coworking spaces radiate warmth and community. I take a lot of pride in the design aesthetics of Maison – I wanted to build a space that felt like an extension of me and my home, and it’s a place I want you to feel the most welcome. Whether it’s reading in our cozy library, catching up with friends on our cushy velvet couches, or refueling in our fully stocked kitchen, every element was handpicked with purpose so that whether you’re staying for a few hours or just 30 minutes, you have a place that feels like home.
Foster community
Women have become more empowered than ever recently as big issues have risen to the top. Whether it’s how to run a business, manage work-home balance, discussing maternity leave, you can and should be surrounded and supported by fellow females. With clubs designed by and for women, we have the unique opportunity to network and learn with our peers. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.
Ashley Wu is the founder of Maison.